The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-30
CHAPTER VIII.
There's cloud on my spirit;
There's a gloom il my heart
A shadow-a something
That will not depart.

1nat VIII not depart.
Mrs. C0rneli0 ". Jordan.
"Where have you been, Charlie 2" inquired
Mrs. NORRIS, as her son entered the dining
room while she and Florine were at break
fast "Why, what is the matter with youl
chin? Have you had fallf'
Fall, mdeedl" sneered Florine, as her
beautiful lips curled with contempt.
He has been fighting. He is al
lways getting into a difficulty, and
finally he will get killed if he doesn't mind,
and it would just serve him right. You
young bullyn turning upon him with flash,
ing ewes "Now, YOU are in a beautiful
condition to attend the marriage, aren't
YOU, sir? If were mamma, l would punish
you by making you stay in your room to
nightn
Charlie was too deeply hurt to make an
angry rejoinder.g
IF mother wishes to punish me, )" he said,
''she could inflict upon me no greater pun
ishment than to compel my presence at her
marriage. If | were to consult my own
wishes. | should prefer to remain in my
room tonight, and perhaps | SHALL"
The sad tremor in his voice touched his
mothers heart.
81 should feel greatly hurt, Charlie" said
the lady, eff you were to treat me with so
little respect Florine. you ought not to
have spoken to your brother so unfeelingly.
1t was wholly uncalled for. You have
wounded his feelings. Sit down, my son,
and eat your breakfast. The oysters and
chocolate are growing cold. Bob" address
ING the waiter Ego and see if Malindy has
a{iy hot waffies. But here she is now. Bob,
hand them to Charlie.
The boy placed couple of the steaming
waffies upon his plate and proceeded to eat.
His appetite was generally good, but this
morning he seemed to have lost it entirely.
He merely tasted the waffies and drank only
a few swallows of chocolate, while the oys-
tiers he did not touch.
"Whv. YOU haven't finished eating" asked
Mrs Morriss, as he placed his knife and fork
across his plate, wiped his mouth, and leaned
back in his chair.
Eyes, ma'am."
Are you unwellF' queried his mother,
anxiously.
mo, mother / don't feel like eating
that is all" and look of Impotence clouded
his usually bright face.
"But you must eat something. Bob, hand
him those rolls Perhaps he would enjoy
them. Wouldn't you, Charlie' Let me
butter couple for you"
But Charlie refused positively to partake
of another mouthful, and, finding her per-
ruasions fruitless, Mrs NORRIS proposed
L at they repair to the sitting room. Char
We and his sister arose and followed her up
stairs. Mrs. MOTIFS SAT down on tne SOFA
by the side of her son, and drawing his head
down upon her bosom, gazed lovingly into
the large blue eyes appraised to hers.
ooh, my child! Ny child Why are you
SO obstinatef moaned the lady, as she
passed her slender fingers caressinly through
MS hair, II wish you would go with us!
What shall do without my boy-my mis-
chievous, blue-eyed boyp
The unexpected outburSt of tenderness
surprised Charlie. He looked wonderingly
up into his mothers face, and, with the
simplicity of little child, asked;
Mother, do you really love mer
''Of course do, mother"
Gas dearly as you love Florine!"
Mrs Morr1ss glanced admiringly at her
beautiful daughter. Yesterday she might
she held her boy--her first born-to her
bosom-as she gazed down into the honest,
handsome face upturned to hers-as she re-
allied how soon they were to part, perhaps
never to meet on earth again-she felt that
he was infinitely more dear to her heart
than she had ever thought, and firmly,
truthfully, she replied:
Eyes, Charlie, you are just as dear to my
heart as Florine," and she confirmed her
avowal with a kiss.
A happy, contented expression stole over
the youths face, and winding his arm
around his mothers neck, he said in a voice
so strangely low and sweet that it seemed to
ring in her ears to the day of her death:
Mother, what has come over yous You
have changed so hardly know you. Your
lev nature has suddenly melted away, and
YOU have become what have always want
ed you to be--a loving motherm
Mrs. Morriss did not reply. She only
drew her boy nearer to her breast, and.